# Bruce Willis has aphasia and is indeed leaving acting **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [March 30, 2022, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996 "2022-03-30T17:13:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/41 "2022-04-01T19:24:14Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Well, taking money to do a bad job to pay medical bills and support one’s family Why doesn’t he have enough money already for all this? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/42 "2022-04-01T19:25:09Z")
He may have made an “ungodly amount of money” but then question is whether or not he _kept_ any of it, made bad investments, etc. As for medical expenses - it’s not just a matter of medication. If his aphasia is due to a progressive cause and/or is alongside dementia then he might need human carers involved and that can get very expensive very quickly. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/43 "2022-04-01T19:36:01Z")
Willis is old enough to qualify for Medicare so his insurance is covered. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/44 "2022-04-01T19:39:24Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > Doesn’t have have an ungodly amount of money already from doing all those big budget movies in the 90s and 2000s? I understand medicine is expensive here but he’s already rich, he can figure out a way to avoid paying $10,000 for a single hospital aspirin as the saying goes. There is no such thing as an income which makes it impossible to live beyond your means. Willis certainly made enough money that he could have done the work necessary to not have to worry about money ever again, sometime several decades ago. We’ll have to see how fancy his hospital room is when he finally goes, to know whether he did that or not. For the moment, I’m willing to believe that he did the work out of machismo and not wanting to stop and admit that he had an illness. I don’t think that we need to assume that he was bad with money. It certainly is possible, though. Acting ability seems to be completely and totally unrelated to the ability to manage your finances. It might even be negatively correlated. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/45 "2022-04-01T19:45:20Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > There is no such thing as an income which makes it impossible to live beyond your means. Indeed. There are numerous stories of major Hollywood stars who developed ridiculous spending habits, and blew through their big paychecks – Nicolas Cage is one such, who bought bunches of residences (including several European castles), cars, yachts, a jet aircraft, jewelry, and art, allegedly despite the warnings of his accountant. It was widely reported that, for years, Cage was taking any and all roles offered to him, in order to pay off his mountain of debt. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/46 "2022-04-01T20:08:37Z")
A lot of people seem not to know what isn’t covered under Medicare. #1 on the list is long-term care. > **[What's not covered by Part A & Part B? | Medicare](https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/whats-not-covered-by-part-a-part-b)** > > Learn about what items and services aren't covered by Medicare Part A or Part B. You'll have to pay for the items and services yourself unless you have other insurance. If you have a Medicare health plan, your plan may cover them. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/47 "2022-04-01T21:38:57Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Nicolas Cage is one such, who bought bunches of residences (including several European castles), cars, yachts, a jet aircraft, jewelry, and art, allegedly despite the warnings of his accountant. Sheesh! All Bruce Willis ever did was try to buy a town. > [@](#): > > Throughout the '90s, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore lived in the small town of Hailey, ID, which they transformed into their idea of paradise. Willis invested in a diner, a club, and even his own theater. Moore filled a renovated Victorian mansion with her doll collection. The small town with a population of less than 10,000 became so flush with Willis’s cash that people started calling it “Planet Haileywood.” > > And then, suddenly, the money went away. Willis simply shut down all his properties and left > **[Bruce Willis Once Bought Out Almost An Entire Idaho Town In The '90s](https://www.ranker.com/list/the-town-bruce-willis-bought/jacob-shelton)** > > When it comes to vanity projects, there are bad ideas, and then there are catastrophes. Some stars open restaurants with their windfalls or even finance their own movies, but Bruce Willis isn't just some star. He's the action hero from Die... ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/48 "2022-04-01T21:43:38Z")
Count me as one who suspects it’s something more serious than aphasia, but nobody wants to say it publicly. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/49 "2022-04-01T22:08:40Z")
> [@peedin](#): > > Willis is old enough to qualify for Medicare so his insurance is covered. Medicare for long-term care of a demented or disabled adult is shit. Can’t blame anyone for wanting more than a minimum that amounts to warehousing people and hoping they quietly die before much time goes by. > [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Count me as one who suspects it’s something more serious than aphasia, but nobody wants to say it publicly. Strictly speaking, Mr. Willis’ medical condition is really none of the public’s business. He, and/or his family, are not in any way obligated to divulge any such information. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/50 "2022-04-01T22:13:07Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Nicolas Cage is one such, who bought bunches of residences (including several European castles), cars, yachts, a jet aircraft, jewelry, and art, allegedly despite the warnings of his accountant. It was widely reported that, for years, Cage was taking any and all roles offered to him, in order to pay off his mountain of debt. In fact, Cage just got out of debt 18 months ago. His first post-debt movie was Pig, which was a really solid performance from him. The thing is, Cage still managed to make real movies once in awhile the entire time he was taking terrible movies. He made Mandy, Colour out of Space, Joe, Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse, and a few others. He also commented recently that no matter the project, he did indeed try. I have not seen the vast majority of his straight-to-video movies, but I believe him. I heard the guys who directed Ghost Rider 2 on a podcast once and they said Cage was totally cool to work with. On time, direct-able, had his own thoughts, gave them what they wanted, and was very vested in the project. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/51 "2022-04-01T22:14:48Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Count me as one who suspects it’s something more serious than aphasia, but nobody wants to say it publicly. There are multiple forms of aphasia, caused by different things. While most people think of aphasia resulting from brain trauma caused by stroke or injury, it can also result from a brain tumor. There’s also aphasia which is a symptom of dementia. That form is progressive and incurable. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/52 "2022-04-01T22:33:53Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Strictly speaking, Mr. Willis’ medical condition is really none of the public’s business. He, and/or his family, are not in any way obligated to divulge any such information. Strictly speaking, I never suggested otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2022, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/53 "2022-04-02T11:42:15Z")
This article says the Willis’s have sold $65 million in property since 2018. Looks like pretty high end stuff. It also says Bruce is worth $250 mil. The article mentions Bruce and wife Emma, their two young (7 & 10) children, Demi Moore and their (Bruce & Demi) three adult children all lived together for some time during the pandemic, neat. > **[Bruce Willis sold $65 MILLION worth of property as his health declined](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10678361/Bruce-Willis-sold-65-MILLION-worth-property-health-declined.html)** > > Bruce Willis and his wife Emma Heming have for the last four year been downsizing, selling $65 million worth of property across the United States and Caribbean. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2022, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/54 "2022-04-02T12:04:10Z")
Demi has struggled with her substance abuse and mental health. Wishing the best for the entire family. It sounds like they’re facing a uncertain future. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2022, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/55 "2022-04-02T13:59:31Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > A lot of people seem not to know what isn’t covered under Medicare. #1 on the list is long-term care. > [https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/whats-not-covered-by-part-a-part-b](https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/whats-not-covered-by-part-a-part-b) Given that I am in the midst of applying for Medicare, I know what is and isn’t covered. No insurance covers long term care. That is always out of pocket. His MEDICAL needs are covered by Medicare. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/56 "2023-02-16T21:06:08Z")
Update: > **[Bruce Willis' 'condition has progressed' to frontotemporal dementia, his...](https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/bruce-willis-frontotemporal-dementia-rcna71086)** > > Willis' family had announced in March 2022 that the actor would be “stepping away” from his career after being diagnosed with aphasia. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/57 "2023-02-16T21:17:34Z")
I don’t get the mad rush to make as much cash as possible, it doesn’t look like he was doing bad. Seems like everyone he loves is firmly in the “set for life” category. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/58 "2023-02-16T21:19:10Z")
I had never heard of frontotemporal dementia until “60 Minutes” did a piece about it a few years ago. One of the things that is so terrible about it is that people who have it are generally unaware that anything is wrong with them. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/59 "2023-02-16T21:41:37Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > I don’t get the mad rush to make as much cash as possible, it doesn’t look like he was doing bad. Seems like everyone he loves is firmly in the “set for life” category. I don’t know what his expenses were, are, or what they might be in the future. You can bet if I were in his situation I’d likely attempt to make bank while I could knowing I would soon be incapable of generating income for the rest of my life. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996/60 "2023-02-17T06:11:11Z")
I’d only heard of it recently, in a typical one thing leads to another moment I was reading up on **Jerry Corbetta** , the front man for **Sugarloaf** , who had died from it, as well. what a crappy diagnosis to get. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bruce-willis-has-aphasia-and-is-indeed-leaving-acting/961996.md?page=4)